Water cannon trucks are positioned between Bersih supporters and Dataran Merdeka, in Kuala Lumpur April 28, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy MayKUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — Police opened fire with water cannons and tear gas on demonstrators who pushed through the barricades in front of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) leading to Dataran Merdeka, resulting in chaos on the streets.

Some of the 15,000-strong crowd broke down the barriers and moved towards the historic square leading to police firing chemical-laced water and tear gas canisters.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali tried to negotiate with police, who told the Gombak MP to calm the group down. But despite his advice they still broke through the barricades.

More than 30 were arrested and taken to be processed at the Royal Selangor Club, which is the closest they have gotten to the square so far.

“Police were forced to release tear gas when assembly participants tried to break through the barricade,” the force said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

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